Risk and Safety Statements

Risk and Safety Statements, also known as R/S statements, R/S numbers, R/S phrases, and R/S sentences, is a system of hazard codes and phrases for labeling dangerous chemicals and compounds. The R/S statement of a compound consists of a risk part (R) and a safety part (S), each followed by a combination of numbers. Each number corresponds to a phrase. The phrase corresponding to the letter/number combination has the same meaning in different languages

Risk phrases

R-phrases (short for Risk Phrases) are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished inDirective 2001/59/EC, and these risk phrases are used internationally, not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization.

List of Risk phrases

Code

Phrase

R1

Explosive when dry

R2

Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition

R3

Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin

R39/25

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed

R39/23/24

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin

R39/23/25

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed

R39/24/25

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed

R39/23/24/25

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R39/26

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation

R39/27

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin

R39/28

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed

R39/26/27

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin

R39/26/28

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed

R39/27/28

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed

R39/26/27/28

Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R42/43

May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact

R45/46

May cause cancer and heritable genetic damage

R48/20

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation

R48/21

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin

R48/22

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed

R48/20/21

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin

R48/20/22

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed

R48/21/22

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed

R48/20/21/22

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R48/23

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation

R48/24

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin

R48/25

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed

R48/23/24

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin

R48/23/25

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed

R48/24/25

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed

R48/23/24/25

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R50/53

Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment

R51/53

Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment

R52/53

Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment

R68/20

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation

R68/21

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin

R68/22

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed

R68/20/21

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin

R68/20/22

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed

R68/21/22

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed

R68/20/21/22

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

Safety Phrases (S)

S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC, where translations into other EU languages may be found. The list was subsequently updated and republished in Directive 2006/102/EC, and these safety phrases are used internationally and not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization.

List of Safety phrases

Code

Phrase

S1

Keep locked up

S2

Keep out of the reach of children

S3

Keep in a cool place

S4

Keep away from living quarters

S5

Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the manufacturer)

S6

Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer)

S7

Keep container tightly closed

S8

Keep container dry

S9

Keep container in a well-ventilated place

S10

Keep contents wet

S11

not specified

S12

Do not keep the container sealed

S13

Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs

S14

Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)

S15

Keep away from heat

S16

Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking

S17

Keep away from combustible material

S18

Handle and open container with care

S20

When using do not eat or drink

S21

When using do not smoke

S22

Do not breathe dust

S23

Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer)

S24

Avoid contact with skin

S25

Avoid contact with eyes

S26

In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice

S27

Take off immediately all contaminated clothing

S28

After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)